The Virginia State Crime Commission is currently studying the topic of decriminalization of simple possession of marijuana.

They want your thoughts on the issue.

“Crime Commission staff values information and insight from parties and stakeholders with an interest in this topic,” said Kristen J. Howard, Executive Director of the Virginia State Crime Commission, in an email. “However, due to the level of interest in this particular study, staff will be unable to meet individually with everyone.”

Which means open up a new Compose window in your email. It’s time to let the powers that be know how you feel about the potential decriminalization of marijuana in Virginia.

Written comments and any other information/materials relevant to this study should be emailed to vsccinfo@vscc.virginia.gov or via traditional mail by 5:00 p.m. Friday, August 25, 2017.

Study findings will be presented at the October 5, 2017 Crime Commission meeting, which is planned to begin at 10:00 a.m. in Richmond. This meeting is open to the public. Location is TBD and will be revealed later this fall.

“Virginia lawmakers will now be able to introduce decriminalization bills in the General Assembly supported with the facts and conclusions of the decriminalization study,” said Virginia NORML, in a statement.

It is important to understand the distinction between decriminalization, full recreational legalization, and the legalizing of medical marijuana. This current discussion is centered around decriminalization, which would punish adult use with civil fines, rather than jail time. Virginia is making painfully slow progress in easing its medical marijuana laws; full legalization of recreational marijuana use does not feel imminent in Virginia, absent a surprise federal order.

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Decriminalization would be a major step, one that would work towards eradicating functionally racist laws. I encourage you to tell the Crime Commission your personal stories. Has your life, or the life of a loved one, been derailed because of current marijuana laws? Tell the stories of careers put on pause, families forcibly separated, and the trauma — and shift in self-identity — that comes with being locked up.

Jesse is the editor of AltDaily.com and a columnist for the Norfolk Compass & PilotOnline. His work has been published on the pages of The New York Times and on televisions everywhere through his time as a documentary producer with B.E.T.

Jesse often writes about the causes he believes in, including public art, public education, improved mental health care and awareness, the NEON District, government transparency, civic engagement, the decriminalization of marijuana, alternative transportation, and supporting local businesses and culture.

In a former life Jesse was a public school teacher in Brooklyn and San Diego, and a mentor at a home for young men in Cape Town, South Africa. He is a devoted yogi, Knicks fan, live music lover, and road tripper.